Ohio’s peregrine falcons produce in record numbers

The falcons in downtown Youngstown produced three chicks this year.

STAFF REPORT

COLUMBUS — Biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife estimate 65 young peregrine falcons fledged this year from 21 successful nests across the state, including one nest in downtown Youngstown.

In 2007, 56 peregrine falcon chicks fledged from 19 nests.

Biologists were able to band 60 of this year’s young falcons from 18 nests; limited access at some nest sites prevented all young from being banded.

“We had a record number of peregrine falcons nesting in Ohio during 2008, and they had a banner year,” said Dave Scott, peregrine falcon project coordinator for the ODNR Division of Wildlife.

In all, 27 territorial pairs of peregrine falcons were monitored around Ohio in 2008. Eggs were produced at a minimum of 25 sites during 26 nesting attempts, with one pair “recycling” and producing a second nest after an initial failure.

Four of the six falcon pairs in Cleveland, along with two pairs in Toledo and individual pairs in Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Eastlake, Ironton, Lakewood, Lima, Lorain, Middletown, Moscow, Oregon, Shaker Heights, and Youngstown produced between one and five young per nest. Nests in Aberdeen (Brown County), Cleveland (two pairs), and the village of Cleves (Hamilton County) failed this season. Two new pairs monitored this year using bridges in Summit County and Scioto County may have attempted to nest; however, access to their nest sites was limited and no eggs or young were seen.

The Youngstown nest is atop the Stambaugh Building downtown and produced three chicks this year.

“After the nesting season and prior to migration, Ohio’s peregrine falcon population is estimated to reach 110 to 130 birds,” Scott added. Included in that number are individual falcons that have been spotted in other areas of the state. These birds, as well as the territorial pairs that did not nest this season, could return next year to establish territories and perhaps successful nests. Migratory movements will start in late summer and early fall. Ohio’s birds probably spend their winters in the southern United States and Central America.

Anyone interested in following peregrine falcon activity in Ohio can view the latest updates online at www.wildohio.com. In 1989, wildlife experts with ODNR initiated a program to establish peregrine falcons in Ohio.